Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen: Score, Reaction from 2016 DFB Pokal Semi-Final

Bayern Munich have booked their spot in the final of the 2016 DFB Pokal, beating Werder Bremen 2-0 at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday thanks to two goals from Thomas Muller.

Muller opened the score with a powerful header in the first half, but Bayern failed to build on their momentum and were saved by the official when he controversially disallowed an own goal by David Alaba after half-time.  

The hosts doubled their lead from the penalty spot after Arturo Vidal was awarded a spot-kick for a blatant dive, all but ending the contest. Bayern easily held on to their lead and booked a meeting against Borussia Dortmund or Hertha BSC (playing Wednesday) in the final in Berlin.

As shared by Bayern’s official Twitter account, Kingsley Coman had the start against Werder, while Douglas Costa rested:

#FCBayern line-up for #FCBSVW:Neuer – Ribéry, Martínez, Lewandowski, Alonso, Bernat, Götze, Lahm (c), Müller, Alaba, Coman.

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 19, 2016

The visitors entered the contest without form on their side, but they had no intention of digging in and inviting pressure. Instead, they tried to gain hold of the midfield battle early and get forward Claudio Pizarro involved.

He raced against Philipp Lahm after an early ball over the top of the Bayern defence but lost out against the veteran defender, who safely played the ball back to Manuel Neuer. Moments later, Lahm was again called upon, this time to stop Fin Bartels from breaking into the Bayern box.

Sambou Yatabare fired a low shot just wide of Neuer’s post, and while the Bayern stopper had it covered, it was clear Bayern struggled to contain Bremen’s attack early. Their own Twitter account was proud of the team:

#Werder playing some top football as we pass the 15-minute mark. Keep it up boys! // #fcbsvw 0-0

— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 19, 2016

Juan Bernat fired the Bavarians’ first shot wide of the goal via a deflection, and Franck Ribery nearly picked out a cross from a promising position. Bayern started seeing more of the ball as time wore on, but good chances were rare.

Robert Lewandowski tried to poke home after a lovely cross from Coman but sent his effort wide before a scuffle saw Yatabare and Bernat nearly come to blows.

DW Sports’ Stefan Bienkowski was impressed with what he saw from the visitors:

Werder Bremen doing well so far. Vestergaard is a great defender when he isn’t terrible.

— Stefan Bienkowski …

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